Pipe cleaning machine



Lfl

4 Sheets-Sheet l F. E. JINNETT PIPE CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1930 Feb. 21, 1933.

Feb. 21, 1933.. F. E. JINNET? 1,898,964

PIPE CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 14. 1930 '4 Shee'bS-Slle'e'll 2 Feb. 2l, lgg F. E, JINNETT ,89,964

PIPE CLEANING MACHINE I FiledMay 14, 1930 -4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Re@ @L w33. F. E. .JINNETT 3,898,9164

PIPE CLEANING MACHINE Filed may 14. 195o 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Feb. 21, 1933 Y 1 if emitenSTATES@MENT': osmosi;

FRANC-S J'NNETT, 0F TVENTURA,.CALIFORNIA PIPE 'CLEANENG MACHINEl Applicatoncfi'md May '14,11930. "Seria'l No.'452,274.

Thisxinvention `relates to pipe-cleaning.. voperated at a minimum. cost, and'fyetv which. machines, and has '-tci 'an object the :provi- .is capable otoperating with ahigh degreeot sionfot a machinebv means of ,Whichcleanefiiciency andaavith relative rapidity in .clean-g., ingmay Yhe'etlected of `pipes'foi similarfob-lping thesexteiioiflsui-tace ot .sucharticles zas; jects,-eitlier in relativelyrishoitlengthsfoi pipes, icods7 andthe like.' 55 made up into a continuous :relatiuely long: Anotheiobject-is to so construct the clean-,a pipe.- ing head;thatit.inay'beemploycd toelii-i Anothe' object is theV provision et a' pipe.'cientli-Y i clean...Weldedupipei .as well asv the;- A cleaning v device having.: a Suid-able'v .primeseamlessvai'ietynin 'this manner o'veicoming.. lo mover.l associated ltherewith' by Ymeans.' ot one fof v the: .disadvantages of 'pi'ioi' .pipe-.1 501 which the :pipeV cleanery is actuated instead'.cleaning;y machines,the normaloperation of ci being manuallydriven... Whichis interfered with-by theprcsence;.otl

A further` object' is the provision of 'a the rib or head which Yextends from end to pipezcleaning device Whichyis carried upon' end of each length'of weldedV pipe. z

l suitable,ivlieeleclfiaine, :the 4wheelsofi The inventionpossesses.othenobje'cts andi-f5.5

which afe-adaptedzto '.iollrupontfthe surface.: advantageous,teatuies.sonie:otwhich, 'Witl oit the:pipe'fbeingvcleaneisandat leastcne; Athese.1'emnneiated,will bersetforth .in the ot which: is 'connected to the prime inwer;V .following Adescii-ptioniot the inventions par-V so that theinachine inavbeadvanced along); ticulal Vembodimentwhich is illustrated in 2G the 'pipe .oi other article being cleaned yby. `the drawings accompanying: andioiming a 70 power derivedl therefrom. 1 Y pai'hof the specification..

A still further' object' is the provision oa Referring ato the drawings.: i i pipe-cleaningfmachine'which is capable'xofi Figure l is a topplangvieivof a pipes@ cleaning a continuous*elongated pipe While .cleaning :machine `embodying theipi'incipes;

20 vthat pipeis disposed Within a trench, -.i. c., ,of the present ainvention. f. A75 Without theinecessityof .removing a 'buried- Fig. 2 is asideielevation, the direction of pipeV from itstrenclnzor disturbing itin'anyx'view being` indicated by theeaiiow' 2 ot' x manner othetthan. by; the fremoval .1offthef.-,Fig..1. 4

, earth' oi otherv mateialwwithin .which'the n Fig. 3 is a front end elevation;therdirecfA f 30 pipe lmaybe embedded. y tioncoflview being: indicated "by" @the ,arrows :80

A more detailedf-object is theI provisionA 53 of Fpfsrfl and 2. ",Poitionsof the'tigure;

ot a pipe-cleaning' machine of :tliefgeneral 'are broken away'and showin in section.

character descifihed -in KWhichrthe vcleaning Fig-4 is a rear Vend elevation, thefdiiection, eleinentis in the form of an ennulanfhead of view being indicated by the arrow'e of,

adapted to encircle fthe vpipe tolbecleaned,Fi0.1. f 85 and which is so coupledtothepiime mover'V Figx is an enlarged detail view taken.l

Y carriedfbv the viiamez'ot `the machine'fthat;` sectionally through one side' ot' .the cutter." ieciprocatoiy, rotary ymotiontot-the head is head' and "one ot the cutting tools thereof.;

40 effected about the pipef'oi otheil article `.be-v.v The plane of section may be assumed to have 9 lng lcleaned,` so as to Vcause .each of a plu-'been taken upon'thelme 5-5 ofiFig. 3, with iralityfo't scraping; tools with which the'head the d-irection'ot` View as indicated.

is provided, to oe moved in sciapingengage' In `teimsizot broad inclusiomi thezpipe.-

ment` "with the `pipe;theehv removing4 accleaning machine ot the presentr invention i cumnlatedvdiijt',"'scale rust,.'andfpaint, so as rcompiisesa framework having supporting.. I

*d to pi'eL ere theexteifioi'surface et' thepipe Wheels associatedtheijewith, adapted to rest 9,5 for the Vapplication 'of a fresh coat ofpaint. upon the top ,of a substantially hoii:tonta-lily` A stillifuithen ohect is theprovision' of a extending' pipe, Wheiebvthe"entire machine` f pipe-cleaning;V machine othis' generaluchai. is supnoitedtupon the pipe and may advance aA tei', which is of a 'relatively simple nattne.y therealong. The i JtrameA cai'ries a piime 1GO D andf'hence, which maytfbemanufactured and mover Wh1ch'..preteraloly is coupledato 'a least one of the supporting wheels, so that the energy necessary to advance the machine, ma be derived from the prime mover. T e machine is equipped with a cutter head adapted to encircle the pipe to be cleaned, and is so coupled to the prime mover that it is moved in reci rocatory, rotary motion about the axis o the pipe being cleaned, with the result that the cuttin or scraping tools carried by the head an pressed into engagement with the pipe, are caused to move in such a manner that accumulated scale, rust, dirt, paint and the like, are eifectnally removed. Preferabl the cutter head is followed by a brush which is also| so coupled to the prime mover, that the surface of the lpipe Which has previously been scraped, is thoroughly brushed so as to more efficiently cleanse the exterior surfce of the pipe, and prepare it for the subuent/application of a fresh coat of paint.

pecifcally describing that embodiment of the invention which at present appears to be the most practical, my pipe-cleaning machine comprises a frame indicated in its entirety at 6, and comprising longitudinall extending members 7 and 8 held in spaced; preferably parallel relative arrangementby means of a plurality of transversely extending members 9, 11, and 12.v A pair of auxiliary, transverse members 13 and 14, serve as a support for a' prime mover such as an internal combustion engine 16 of conven tional design. The shaft 17 of the engine 16, is provided with a flywheel 18 and with a sprocket wheel 19 carrying a drive chain 21 which is also enmeshed with a driven sprocket wheel 22 carried by a shaft 23 jour# nalled in bearings 24 and 26 which are rigidly mounted upon the sidemember 8 of the frame 6. Preferably the shaft 23 is in two axially alignedparts 27 and 28 adapted to be optionally engaged or disengaged through `the expedient of a conventional clutch mechanism 29 which, inasmuch as its details of construction have no bearing uponl the present invention, will not be described in detail herein other than to oint out that it is capable of being operated) by means of aY manually movable lever 31 ivoted in a bracket 32 'which also is carried) by the side member 8, and that the lever 31 is provided with dogs 33 loosely disposed within an annular groove 34 in the movable portion 36 of the clutch mechanism 29. Hence, by movlng the hand lever 3l in one direction, the clutch mechanism 29 may be disengaged, and by moving it in the other direction, it may be engaged to effect connection between the portions 27 and 28 of the shaft 23.

Bearings 37 and 38 carried by the transf verse members 11 and 12 respectively, rotatably support a countershaft 39 upon which 1s mounted a driven sprocket 41 and two driving sprockets 42 and 43. The drivenk sprocket 41 is connected to a driving sprocket 44, which is rigid with the portion 28 of the shaft 23, by means of a drive chain 46, so that when the clutch mechanism 29 is engaged and the motor 16 is in operation, the countershaft 39 and the driving sprockets 42 and 43, are rotated. c

Axially aligned bearings 51, 52, and 53 are mounted upon the ends of the transverse members 9, 11, and 12 res ectively, at one side of the frame 6, whereas similarly aligned bearings 56, 57, and 58, are mounted upon the opposite ends of these transverse members. Within these two groups of aligned bearings, shafts 59 and 61 respectively, arejournalled. the former carrying a. driven sprocket 62 which is interconnected with the driving sprocket 42 by a chain 63, and the latter carr a driven sprocket 64 which is conn with the driving sprocket 43 by means of a chain 66.

Front and rear axle shafts 67 and 68, are journalled in axiall aligned bearings 69 and axially aligned bearin 71 respectively. Each of these axle sha ts carries a air of spaced wheels 72, the peripheries of w ich are of conical configuration, i. e., each wheel 72 is tapered so that the entire machine may be sup orted u con the pipe 73 which is being cleaned and advanced longitudinall there` along. with those portions of the wheels 72 which are in rolling en gement with the pipe 7 3, substantially con orming to the con figuration thereof, as best illustrated upon Fics. 3 and 4. Preferably, means are pro vided for ap lying torque to at least one of the axle shafts, sa the axle shaft 68, so as to effect advance o the entire machine along the pipe 7 3 by power derived from the motor4 16. This may be accomplished by means of a bevel gear 74 rigid with the shaft 59 and enmeshed with a bevel gear 76 which is carried by a stub shaft 77 journalled in a ver tically arranged bearing 78. To the lower end of the shaft 77, a disc 79 is rigidly secured, this disc being provided with a crank pin 81 upon which one end of a connecting rod 82 is journalled. A ratchet wheel 83 is made fast to the axle shaft 68; and a crank arm 84 is mountedV for rotary movement about the' axis of the shaft 68 adjacent the ratchet wheel 83. This crank arm 84 carries a pawl 86 ada ted to engage` the teeth of the ratchet whee 83 so as to effect rotary motion of the shaft 68 when the crank arm 84 is turned in one direction about the axis of that shaft, but to permit return motion of the crank arm 84 without having any effect upon the rotation of the shaft 68. As will readily be understood, rotation of the disc 79 will effect reciprocation of the connecting rod 82, thereby causing the crank arm 84 to move backwards and forwards in rotary motion; withfthe result that the awl 86 will periodically engage a tooth o the ratchet Wheel 83, and turn theaxlel shaity the disc79, has completed one-half a revo-v lution, the crank arm 8.4.-Will be returned to startingk position, permitting the pawl '86 to drop past another tooth of the ratchetwheel 83 upon completion ofV a full revolution of theidisc 79, sothat the nextihalf revolution Will again cause advance of the machine.

That por-tion of the machine which eiiects scraping of the outside surface of the pipe 73, is a cutter head indicated in its entirety at 91. This head 91 comprises a plurality, preferably a. pair of arcuate sections 92 and 93, at each end 'of each of which ak radially ext-endingange 91 is provided, whereby the sections 92 and 93 may be rigidly but releasably coupled together by means of bolts 96 and nuts 97, thus forming an annular head slightly larger than the pipe 73 to be cleaned. V It is my intention that a different size of head 91 be provided for each diameter of pipe 73 to be cleaned.

As best shown upon Fig. 5, each section 92, 93 of the head 91, is channel-shaped in cross-sectional configuration, being composed of a semi-circular web 98 and opposed edge aiiges 99. Thisconstruction isv employed so as to impart the greatest possiblestrength to the., entire structure. Therfact that the head 91 is composed of a plurality of releasably joined sections, permits mounting the machine to commence operation thereof at any pointpin aline of piping, Without the necessity oit slipping the head 91 over an end thereof.

Peterably from each face of the head 91, a plurality oie pins 101 extend; and a roller 102 isjournalled upon cachotl the pins 101. The radius of each roller 102 is substantially equal to the difference between the out# side radius vof the pipe 73 and the radius measured from the center of the annular head 91 to the circle which passes through the centers ot all the pins 101;*witli the result that when the head 91 is assembled about the pipe 73, all the rollers 102 will be in tangential rolling engagement with the pipe, the effect being to retain the head 91 coaxially upon` the pipe 73, but to permit rotary motion of the head 91 with respect thereto. f l

T he head 91 is provided with a plurality of sockets 103 at spaced intervals throughout the ent-ire periphery of the head. `Where as these sockets may be arranged according to any desired plan, .l prefer to distribute them not only about the periphery of the head, but also at different points between the front and rear faces 10st` and 10G respectiven ly, of the head, as best .shown upon Figs. 1 and 2. ldlithin each of the sockets 103, a scraper or cutting tool 107 is mounted. Each socket 103 isrnoncircular in cross-sectional configuration, preferably rectangular; and. the Scrapers 197 are coinplenientarily formed so that they can not rotate Within theirrespectire sockets 103. However, they are itted suiiiciently loosely Within the sockets 103, to permit them to slide radially with respect to the cutter head 91. Each cuttingy tool 107 is provided With an extension 108 which passes loosely through an aperture 109 in the upper end oi the associated socket 103; and a pin 111 is rigidly secured adjaf cent the extreme end oit the extension 103` of each tool 107, so as to limit the inward motion of that tool. it bein@ understood that a coil spring 112 isundcr compression be.

tween tliefouter end of the socket 103 and a shoulder 113011 the tool 10T, so that the tool is continually urged radially inwards to press the cutting edge 111 thereof against the outer surface of the pipe 73. As best shown upon Fig. 3, alternate cutting tools 107 are arranged with their cutting' edges llettacing in opposite directions so that one tool 1 07 operates While the head is moved iii one direction, and the next tool operates upon movement of the head in the opposite direction.

rl`heineaiis for producing reciprocatory, rotary motion of the head 91 with respect to the pipe 73 Which it cncircles, is inthe form of discs 11G and `117 rigidly mounted.

upon the forward ends of the shafts 59 and (51 respectively. Each disc carries a crank pin 118, 119 arranged ecceiitrically there upon; and connecting rods 121 and 122 are journalled at"their upper ends upon the craiilrpins 118, 119 respectively. The lower ends of the connecting rods 121, 122, are connected With. opposite sides of the cutter head 91; and the eccentric discs 116, 117 are so arranged With respect to each other, that the connecting rod 121 starts moving down- Wardsat the instant that the other connect-v ing rod 122 starts moving upwards, so that by their combined action, reciprocatory rotary motion ofthe head 91 is effected when the countershaft 39 is rotated.

The means for connecting each of the connecting rods 121, 122 to the'cut-ter head 91, coc-iprisel an extension 126 of one' of the associated flanges 91. Lhis extension is bifui-cated, forming tufo iiiigers 1.2/7 and 12S Fig. 2) upon each oi'wvhich a block 129, 131 is rigidly arranged. A. cross-head block 133 is disposed between the blocks 129 and 131, and carries pins 13eL and 136 which are journalier/l Within suitable apertures in the blocks 129 and 131 respectively. rlChe louer. ond oi" each ol the connecting rods 121 rad 122, extends through an enlarged aperl e 137 in the associated cross-head block 13o. A com iiression spriiig138 is interposed between a pin 139 carried by the connecting rod, and the top `oit the cross-head block 133; and.anothercompression spring 141 is inte-rposed between the bottom of the cross-head block 133 and a nut and washer 142 and 143 respectively, at the extreme lower end rof the connectin rod. Hence, the force which is applied to t e cutter head 91 to effect rotation thereof, is exerted by the springs 138 and 141. Furthermore, a certain amount of vertical movement of the cutter head 91 with respect to the frame 6 of the machine, is permitted. thus compensating for any slight irregularities upon the surface of t e pipe 73 with which the wheels 72 might come 1n contact. lVithout the provision of such compensating means, the engagement of one or more of the wheels 72 with such irregularlties, might cause breakage of one. or morel of the cutting tools 107.

The machine is also provided with an annular brush indicated in its entirety at 146. The framework for this brush, is constructed similarly to the annular cutting head 91, in that it is composed of a plurality of arcuate sections 147 and 148, releasably but rig idly secured in annular arrangement by means of bolts 149 passing throu h radially extending flanges 151 and 152. his annular framework which is indicated in its entirety at 153, is also provided with rollers 154 journalled upon pins 156, to retain the framework 153 coaxially with respect to the pipe 73. A plurality of arcuately-shaped rushes 157, are mounted upon the interior surface of the framework 153, these brushes having preferably relatively heavy wire bristles 158 of such length that they come into scrubbing engagement with the exterior surface of the pipe 73. The framework 153 for the brushes 157, is also reciprocated in rotary motion, through the expedient of discs 161 and 162 carried by the after ends of the shafts 59 and 61 respectively, these discs having crank pins 163 and 164 respectively, connected to the annular frame 153 by connecting rods 166 and 167, eachV of which is connected to the annular frame 153 through the expedient of springs 168 and 169 bearing against the upper and lower surfaces of a cross-head block 171 which in turn is ivotally connected by pins 172 to blocks 1 3 carried by an extension 174 of one of the flanges 151, this structure being substantially the same as that previously described in connect-ion with the manner of engagement of the connecting rods 121 and 122 with the cutter head 91.

Operation,

The pipe-cleaning machine of my invention is placed in operative position upon the pipe 73 to be cleaned, with the wheels 72 resting upon the upper portion of the outside circumference of the pipe, it being understood that in the event the pipe is buried, it first must be uncovered.- A cutter head 91 and a brush 146 of suitable diameter to accommodate the particular size of pipe being cleaned, are then selected and mounted in operative position b disengaging the flanges thereof, placing t em in position encircling the pipe 73, and then securely clamping them together, as will readily be understood. The connecting rods 121 and 122 should then be connected to the cutter head 91, and the connecting rods 166 and 167 connected to the brush rame 153.

T he motor 16 should then be Started in operation, and the clutch mechanism 29 egaged by proper manipulation of the operating lever 31. This will effect rotary reciprocation of the cutter head 91 and of the brush 146 because of their interconnection with the shafts 59 and 61. The rotary reciprocation of the cutter head 91 will cause the cutting tools 107 to move back and forth in arcuate paths, pressing their cutting edges 114 against the outside surface of the pipe 73, thereby eifectually removing all encrusted dirt, rust, scale, blistered paint and the like. The material that is removed in this manner, from the exterior surface of the pipe, falls out of either the forward or after faces 104, 106 respectively, of the cutter head, or through holes 181 which are formed at the bottom of the lower semi-circular portion 93.

As previously explained, the machine will be slowly advanced in successive ste because of the reciprocation of the cran arm 84 carrying the pawl 86 which engages the ratchet wheel 83. Hence, the cut-ter head 91 will be continually moved along the pipe to bring fresh portions thereof, into proper relationship with the head 91 to be cleansed by the scrapers 107. This forward motion of the entire machine, will cause the brush 146 to travel over the same portions of the pipe which have previously been scraped; with the result that it serves to increase the efficiency of the cleansing operation.

Owing to the fact that the head 91 moves in reciprocatory motion instead of rotating in a single direction, my pipe-cleaning machine afords unusual convenience in cleaning welded pipe. Tubing of this class has a seam extending from end to end of each length, anda bead of welded metal covering the seam, this bead protrudin from the exterior surface of the pipe. ence, the bead interferes with the cutting or scraping tools of a cleaning machine wherein the cleaning head or analogous part rotates continuously about the pipe. However, in my machine, the parts may be so proportioned and arranged, one or more of the cuttin tools 107 being omitted if need be, that the outside surface of the pipe is effectively scraped up to the bead on both sides there of, but none of the tools 107 is required t0 pass over the bead.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. ln a. pipe-cleaning machine, a frame, rollers journalled thereon ii position to support said frame upon the pipe to be cleaned, a motor carried by said frame, a cutter head, scraping means carried by said head and engaging said pipe, a shaft journalled on said frame and coupled to said motor to be rotated thereby, a crank pin rigid with said shaft, a connecting rod journalled on said pin, and resilient lmeans coupling said rod to said head whereby rotation of said shaft effects reciprocatory rotary motion` of said head about said pipe.

2. In a pipe-cleaning machine, a frame, a cutter head, scraping means carried by said head and engaging said pipe, a shaft jonrnalled on said frame, means for rotating said shaft, a crank pin rigid with said shaft, a

,connecting rod journalled on said pin, a

angejextending rigidly from said head, a cross-head having pins gournalled in said lia-nge, and resilient means coupling said connecting rod to said cross-head whereby rotation of said shaft effects reciprocatory rotary motion of said head about said pipe.

3. In a pipe-cleaning machine, a frame,

yrollers journalled thereon in position to support said frame upon the pipe to be cleaned, a motor carried by said frame, a cutter head, scraping means carried by said head and engaging said pipe, a shaft journalled on said frame and coupled to said motor to be rotated thereby, a crank pin rigid with said shaft, a connecting rod journalled on said pin, a flange extending rigidljT from said head, a. cross-head having pins iournalled in said iange and having a hole therethrough, said connecting rol extending slidably through said hole, and spring means interposed between said rod and said cross-head.

4;..In a pipe-cleaning machine, a frame, rollers journalled thereon in position to support said frame upon the pipe to be cleaned, a motor carried by said frame, a cutter head, scraping means carried by said head and engaging said pipe, a shaft journailed on said frame and coupled to said motor to be rotated thereby, a crank pin rigid with said shaft, a connecting rod journalled on said pin, a ilange extending rigidly from said head, a cross-head having pins journalled in said ilange and having a hole therethrough, said connecting rod extending slidably through said hole, spring means interposed between said rod and said cross-head, and means for retaining said head in coaxial relationship with said pipe.

5. In a pipe-cleaning machine, a frame, rollers journalied thereon lin position to support said frame upon the pipe to be cleaned,

spin, a flange extending rigidly from said head, a cross-headhaving pins journalled in said ange and having a hole therethrough,

said connecting rod extending slidably575 through said hole, spring means interposed between said rod and said cross-head, and a plurality of rollers journalled on said head and tangentially engaging said pipe at'y spaced intervals about the circumferencel 0 thereof.

6. ln a pipe cleaning machine, a frame, means for supporting said frame upon a pipe to be cleaned, a cutter head, means carried by said cutter head and engaging said pipe 185 to effect cleaning thereof, a motor carried by said frame, means coupling said motor to said head for moving the latter, and yieldable means interposed between said coupling", means to permit play between said head and said frame.

7. ln a pipek cleaning machine, a frame, means for supporting said frame upon a pipe to be cleaned, a cutter head, means carried by said cutter head and engagingvk said pipe to effect cleaning thereof, means for retaining said head in coaxial relationship with said pipe, a motor carried by said frame, means coupling said motor to said head for moving the latter, and yieldable means interposed between said coupling means to permit play between said head and said frame.

8. ln a pipe cleaning machine, a frameA means for supporting said frame upon a pipe to be cleaned, a cutter head, means carried by said cutter head and engaging said pipe to effect cleaning thereof, a plurality of rollers ournalled on said head and engaging said pipe to hold the head in coaxial relationship with the pipe, a motor carried by said frame, means coupling said motor to said head for moving the latter, and yieldable means interposed between said coupling means to permit play between said head and said frame.

9. In a pipe cleaning machine, a frame, means for supporting said frame upon a pipe to be cleaned, a cutter head, means connect-` ing said cutter head to said frame, and resilient means interposed in said connecting means to permit play between said frame and said head.

i0. In a, pipe cleaning machine, a cutter head adapted to encircle a pipe to be cleaned, a. plurality of scraper-s extending inwards from said head to engage said pipe, and means for oscillating said head in rotary moiion about the axis of said pipe, said scrapn ers facing in opposite directions, whereby`AY certain of said Scrapers operate when the head moves in one direction and the other Scrapers operate when the head moves in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FRANCIS E. J IN NETT. 

